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Tang L, Zhao P, Pan C, Song Y, Zheng J, Zhu R, Wang F, Tang Y. Epigenetic molecular underpinnings of brain structural-functional connectivity decoupling in patients with major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord 2024; 363:249-257. [PMID: 39029702 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.07.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder (MDD) is progressively recognized as a stress-related disorder characterized by aberrant brain network dynamics, encompassing both structural and functional domains. Yet, the intricate interplay between these dynamic networks and their molecular underpinnings remains predominantly unexplored. METHODS Both structural and functional networks were constructed using multimodal neuroimaging data from 183 MDD patients and 300 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC). structural-functional connectivity (SC-FC) coupling was evaluated at both the connectome- and nodal-levels. Methylation data of five HPA axis key genes, including NR3C1, FKBP5, CRHBP, CRHR1, and CRHR2, were analyzed using Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip. RESULTS We observed a significant reduction in SC-FC coupling at the connectome-level in patients with MDD compared to HC. At the nodal level, we found an imbalance in SC-FC coupling, with reduced coupling in cortical regions and increased coupling in subcortical regions. Furthermore, we identified 23 differentially methylated CpG sites on the HPA axis, following adjustment for multiple comparisons and control of age, gender, and medication status. Notably, three CpG sites on NR3C1 (cg01294526, cg19457823, and cg23430507), one CpG site on FKBP5 (cg25563198), one CpG site on CRHR1 (cg26656751), and one CpG site on CRHR2 (cg18351440) exhibited significant associations with SC-FC coupling in MDD patients. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide valuable insights into the connection between micro-scale epigenetic changes in the HPA axis and SC-FC coupling at macro-scale connectomes. They unveil the mechanisms underlying increased susceptibility to MDD resulting from chronic stress and may suggest potential pharmacological targets within the HPA-axis for MDD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Tang
- Early Intervention Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China; Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Pengfei Zhao
- Early Intervention Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Chunyu Pan
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Yanzhuo Song
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Junjie Zheng
- Early Intervention Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Rongxin Zhu
- Early Intervention Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Fei Wang
- Early Intervention Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China.
| | - Yanqing Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.
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2
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Jiang X, Xu C, Xu C, Liu Y, Li L, Li Q, Huang C, Hu J. 2-Ethylhexyl Diphenyl Phosphate Induces Autism Spectrum Disorder-Like Behaviors in Offspring Mice by Disrupting Postsynaptic Development. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39234944 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c06087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
As organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) are constantly detected in human samples, the neurotoxicity of OPFRs is of concern. In this study, pregnant ICR mice were exposed to 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) in drinking water from gestation to lactation to investigate its effects on autism spectrum disorder-like (ASD-like) behaviors in offspring. Serum EHDPP concentrations in dams in the 0.4, 2, and 10 mg/kg groups were 0.282 ± 0.051, 0.713 ± 0.115, and 0.974 ± 0.048 ng/mL, respectively, within the concentration range in humans. At the highest dose, EHDPP exposure induced ASD-like behaviors in both female and male offspring. Significant reductions in mature dendritic spines and structural damage to the postsynaptic density zone were noted in all but the lowest exposure groups, indicating postsynaptic membrane impairment. Mechanistically, EHDPP significantly downregulated disc large MAGUK scaffold protein 4 expression by inhibiting protein kinase B and type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor phosphorylation. In the heterologous synapse formation assay in vivo, EHDPP significantly reduced the levels of postsynaptic density protein 95 expression in neurons at 1 μM. Overall, the study utilized in vitro and in vivo experiments to confirm that EHDPP damaged postsynaptic membrane formation and might increase the incidence of ASD in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianlei Jiang
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenke Xu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Xu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanan Liu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Linwan Li
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Li
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Chong Huang
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianying Hu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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3
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Guo N, Wang X, Xu M, Bai J, Yu H, Le Zhang. PI3K/AKT signaling pathway: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential in depression. Pharmacol Res 2024; 206:107300. [PMID: 38992850 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Depression is a serious global mental disorder. Numerous studies have found that depression may be closely related to decreased neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter imbalance, and synaptic plasticity dysfunction. The pathogenesis of depression is complex and involves multiple signal transduction pathways and molecular changes. The PI3K/AKT pathway is an essential signaling pathways in neurons, which is widely expressed in emotion-related regions of the brain. Therefore, the PI3K/AKT pathway may play a moderating role in mood disorders. However, the role and mechanism of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in depression have not been fully described. This review systematically summarized the role of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of depression and discussed its potential in the treatment of depression. This will help in the treatment of depression and the development of antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Guo
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Radiation Therapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Muran Xu
- Clinical College, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Jie Bai
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.
| | - Hao Yu
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, China.
| | - Le Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.
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4
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Sequeira MK, Stachowicz KM, Seo EH, Yount ST, Gourley SL. Cocaine disrupts action flexibility via glucocorticoid receptors. iScience 2024; 27:110148. [PMID: 38989467 PMCID: PMC11233908 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Many addictive drugs increase stress hormone levels. They also alter the propensity of organisms to prospectively select actions based on long-term consequences. We hypothesized that cocaine causes inflexible action by increasing circulating stress hormone levels, activating the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). We trained mice to generate two nose pokes for food and then required them to update action-consequence associations when one response was no longer reinforced. Cocaine delivered in adolescence or adulthood impaired the capacity of mice to update action strategies, and inhibiting CORT synthesis rescued action flexibility. Next, we reduced Nr3c1, encoding GR, in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a region of the brain responsible for interlacing new information into established routines. Nr3c1 silencing preserved action flexibility and dendritic spine abundance on excitatory neurons, despite cocaine. Spines are often considered substrates for learning and memory, leading to the discovery that cocaine degrades the representation of new action memories, obstructing action flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle K. Sequeira
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kathryn M. Stachowicz
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Esther H. Seo
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sophie T. Yount
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shannon L. Gourley
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
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5
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Park SB, Lur G. Repeated exposure to multiple concurrent stressors alters visual processing in the adult posterior parietal cortex. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 31:100660. [PMID: 39100726 PMCID: PMC11296072 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress is well known to erode cognitive functions. Yet, our understanding of how repeated stress exposure impacts one of the fundamental bases of cognition: sensory processing, remains limited. The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is a high order visual region, known for its role in visually guided decision making, multimodal integration, attention, and working memory. Here, we used functional measures to determine how repeated exposure to multiple concurrent stressors (RMS) affects sensory processing in the PPC in adult male mice. A longitudinal experimental design, repeatedly surveying the same population of neurons using in vivo two-photon imaging, revealed that RMS disrupts the balanced turnover of visually responsive cells in layer 2/3 of the PPC. Across the population, RMS-induced changes in visual responsiveness followed a bimodal distribution suggesting idiosyncratic stress effects. In cells that maintained their responsiveness across recording sessions, we found that stress reduced visual response magnitudes and feature selectivity. While we did not observe stress-induced elimination of excitatory synapses, noise correlation statistics indicated that RMS altered visual input to the neuronal population. The impact of RMS was restricted to visually evoked responses and was not evident in neuronal activity associated with locomotion onset. Together, our results indicate that despite no apparent synaptic reorganization, stress exposure in adulthood can disrupt sensory processing in the PPC, with the effects showing remarkable individual variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Bin Park
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA USA, 92697
| | - Gyorgy Lur
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA USA, 92697
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6
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Li XY, Zhang SY, Hong YZ, Chen ZG, Long Y, Yuan DH, Zhao JJ, Tang SS, Wang H, Hong H. TGR5-mediated lateral hypothalamus-dCA3-dorsolateral septum circuit regulates depressive-like behavior in male mice. Neuron 2024; 112:1795-1814.e10. [PMID: 38518778 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Although bile acids play a notable role in depression, the pathological significance of the bile acid TGR5 membrane-type receptor in this disorder remains elusive. Using depression models of chronic social defeat stress and chronic restraint stress in male mice, we found that TGR5 in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) predominantly decreased in GABAergic neurons, the excitability of which increased in depressive-like mice. Upregulation of TGR5 or inhibition of GABAergic excitability in LHA markedly alleviated depressive-like behavior, whereas down-regulation of TGR5 or enhancement of GABAergic excitability facilitated stress-induced depressive-like behavior. TGR5 also bidirectionally regulated excitability of LHA GABAergic neurons via extracellular regulated protein kinases-dependent Kv4.2 channels. Notably, LHA GABAergic neurons specifically innervated dorsal CA3 (dCA3) CaMKIIα neurons for mediation of depressive-like behavior. LHA GABAergic TGR5 exerted antidepressant-like effects by disinhibiting dCA3 CaMKIIα neurons projecting to the dorsolateral septum (DLS). These findings advance our understanding of TGR5 and the LHAGABA→dCA3CaMKIIα→DLSGABA circuit for the development of potential therapeutic strategies in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Yi Li
- College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Shi-Ya Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Hong
- Research Center of Biostatistics and Computational Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Chen
- College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yan Long
- College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dan-Hua Yuan
- College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jia-Jia Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Su-Su Tang
- College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Hao Wang
- Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine/Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou 310013, China.
| | - Hao Hong
- College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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7
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Li DC, Hinton EA, Guo J, Knight KA, Sequeira MK, Wynne ME, Dighe NM, Gourley SL. Social experience in adolescence shapes prefrontal cortex structure and function in adulthood. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02540-6. [PMID: 38580810 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02540-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
During adolescence, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) undergoes dramatic reorganization. PFC development is profoundly influenced by the social environment, disruptions to which may prime the emergence of psychopathology across the lifespan. We investigated the neurobehavioral consequences of isolation experienced in adolescence in mice, and in particular, the long-term consequences that were detectable even despite normalization of the social milieu. Isolation produced biases toward habit-like behavior at the expense of flexible goal seeking, plus anhedonic-like reward deficits. Behavioral phenomena were accompanied by neuronal dendritic spine over-abundance and hyper-excitability in the ventromedial PFC (vmPFC), which was necessary for the expression of isolation-induced habits and sufficient to trigger behavioral inflexibility in socially reared controls. Isolation activated cytoskeletal regulatory pathways otherwise suppressed during adolescence, such that repression of constituent elements prevented long-term isolation-induced neurosequelae. Altogether, our findings unveil an adolescent critical period and multi-model mechanism by which social experiences facilitate prefrontal cortical maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan C Li
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Elizabeth A Hinton
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jidong Guo
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Michelle K Sequeira
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Meghan E Wynne
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Niharika M Dighe
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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8
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Reyes-Lizaola S, Luna-Zarate U, Tendilla-Beltrán H, Morales-Medina JC, Flores G. Structural and biochemical alterations in dendritic spines as key mechanisms for severe mental illnesses. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 129:110876. [PMID: 37863171 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Severe mental illnesses (SMI) collectively affect approximately 20% of the global population, as estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite having diverse etiologies, clinical symptoms, and pharmacotherapies, these diseases share a common pathophysiological characteristic: the misconnection of brain areas involved in reality perception, executive control, and cognition, including the corticolimbic system. Dendritic spines play a crucial role in excitatory neurotransmission within the central nervous system. These small structures exhibit remarkable plasticity, regulated by factors such as neurotransmitter tone, neurotrophic factors, and innate immunity-related molecules, and other mechanisms - all of which are associated with the pathophysiology of SMI. However, studying dendritic spine mechanisms in both healthy and pathological conditions in patients is fraught with technical limitations. This is where animal models related to these diseases become indispensable. They have played a pivotal role in elucidating the significance of dendritic spines in SMI. In this review, the information regarding the potential role of dendritic spines in SMI was summarized, drawing from clinical and animal model reports. Also, the implications of targeting dendritic spine-related molecules for SMI treatment were explored. Specifically, our focus is on major depressive disorder and the neurodevelopmental disorders schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Abundant clinical and basic research has studied the functional and structural plasticity of dendritic spines in these diseases, along with potential pharmacological targets that modulate the dynamics of these structures. These targets may be associated with the clinical efficacy of the pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Reyes-Lizaola
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Licenciatura en Medicina, Universidad Popular del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Ulises Luna-Zarate
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Licenciatura en Medicina, Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Hiram Tendilla-Beltrán
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Julio César Morales-Medina
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Gonzalo Flores
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, Mexico.
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9
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Karperien AL, Jelinek HF. Morphology and Fractal-Based Classifications of Neurons and Microglia in Two and Three Dimensions. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 36:149-172. [PMID: 38468031 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-47606-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Microglia and neurons live physically intertwined, intimately related structurally and functionally in a dynamic relationship in which microglia change continuously over a much shorter timescale than do neurons. Although microglia may unwind and depart from the neurons they attend under certain circumstances, in general, together both contribute to the fractal topology of the brain that defines its computational capabilities. Both neuronal and microglial morphologies are well-described using fractal analysis complementary to more traditional measures. For neurons, the fractal dimension has proved valuable for classifying dendritic branching and other neuronal features relevant to pathology and development. For microglia, fractal geometry has substantially contributed to classifying functional categories, where, in general, the more pathological the biological status, the lower the fractal dimension for individual cells, with some exceptions, including hyper-ramification. This chapter provides a review of the intimate relationships between neurons and microglia, by introducing 2D and 3D fractal analysis methodology and its applications in neuron-microglia function in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey L Karperien
- School of Community Health, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
| | - Herbert F Jelinek
- Department of Medical Sciences and Biotechnology Center, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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10
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Chen JY, Wu K, Guo MM, Song W, Huang ST, Zhang YM. The PrL Glu→avBNST GABA circuit rapidly modulates depression-like behaviors in male mice. iScience 2023; 26:107878. [PMID: 37810240 PMCID: PMC10551841 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is a global disease with a high prevalence. Here, we examine the role of the circuit from prelimbic mPFC (PrL) to the anterior ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (avBNST) in depression-like mice through behavioral tests, immunofluorescence, chemogenetics, optogenetics, pharmacology, and fiber photometry. Mice exposed to chronic restraint stress with individual housing displayed depression-like behaviors. Optogenetic or chemogenetic activation of the avBNST-projecting glutamatergic neurons in the PrL had an antidepressant effect. Moreover, we found that α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionicacid receptors (AMPARs) play a dominant role in this circuit. Systemic administration of ketamine profoundly alleviated depression-like behaviors in the mice and rapidly rescued the decreased activity in the PrLGlu→avBNSTGABA circuit. Furthermore, the fast-acting effect of ketamine on depressive behaviors was diminished when the circuit was inhibited. To summarize, activating the PrLGlu→avBNSTGABA circuit quickly ameliorated depression-like behaviors. Thus, we propose the PrLGlu→avBNSTGABA circuit as a target for fast regulation of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-ying Chen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
| | - Ke Wu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
| | - Miao-miao Guo
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
| | - Wei Song
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
| | - Si-ting Huang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
| | - Yong-mei Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
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11
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Li DC, Pitts EG, Dighe NM, Gourley SL. GluN2B inhibition confers resilience against long-term cocaine-induced neurocognitive sequelae. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1108-1117. [PMID: 36056105 PMCID: PMC10209078 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01437-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine self-administration can disrupt the capacity of humans and rodents to flexibly modify familiar behavioral routines, even when they become maladaptive or unbeneficial. However, mechanistic factors, particularly those driving long-term behavioral changes, are still being determined. Here, we capitalized on individual differences in oral cocaine self-administration patterns in adolescent mice and revealed that the post-synaptic protein PSD-95 was reduced in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) of escalating, but not stable, responders, which corresponded with later deficits in flexible decision-making behavior. Meanwhile, NMDA receptor GluN2B subunit content was lower in the OFC of mice that were resilient to escalatory oral cocaine seeking. This discovery led us to next co-administer the GluN2B-selective antagonist ifenprodil with cocaine, blocking the later emergence of cocaine-induced decision-making abnormalities. GluN2B inhibition also prevented cocaine-induced dysregulation of neuronal structure and function in the OFC, preserving mature, mushroom-shaped dendritic spine densities on deep-layer pyramidal neurons, which were otherwise lower with cocaine, and safeguarding functional BLA→OFC connections necessary for action flexibility. We posit that cocaine potentiates GluN2B-dependent signaling, which triggers a series of durable adaptations that result in the dysregulation of post-synaptic neuronal structure in the OFC and disruption of BLA→OFC connections, ultimately weakening the capacity for flexible choice. And thus, inhibiting GluN2B-NMDARs promotes resilience to long-term cocaine-related sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan C Li
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth G Pitts
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Niharika M Dighe
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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12
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Godfrey JR, Howell BR, Mummert A, Shi Y, Styner M, Wilson ME, Sanchez M. Effects of social rank and pubertal delay on brain structure in female rhesus macaques. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 149:105987. [PMID: 36529113 PMCID: PMC9931669 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Adverse social experience during childhood and adolescence leads to developmental alterations in emotional and stress regulation and underlying neurocircuits. We examined the consequences of social subordination (low social rank) in juvenile female rhesus monkeys, as an ethologically valid model of chronic social stressor exposure, on brain structural and behavioral development through the pubertal transition. Adolescence is a developmental period of extensive brain remodeling and increased emotional and stress reactivity. Puberty-induced increases in gonadal hormones, particularly estradiol (E2), are likely involved due to its organizational effects on the brain and behavior. Thus, we also examined how experimentally delaying pubertal onset with Lupron (gonadotropin releasing hormone -GnRH- agonist used clinically to delay early puberty) interacted with social rank (dominant vs. subordinate) to affect brain and behavioral outcomes. Using a longitudinal experimental design, structural MRI (sMRI) scans were collected on socially housed juvenile female rhesus monkeys living in indoor-outdoor enclosures prior to the onset of puberty (18-25 months), defined as menarche or the initial occurrence of perineal swelling and coloration, and again at 29-36 months, when all control animals had reached puberty but none of the Lupron-treated had. We examined the effects of both social rank and pubertal delay on overall structural brain volume (i.e. intracranial, grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes), as well as on cortico-limbic regions involved in emotion and stress regulation: amygdala (AMYG), hippocampus (HC), and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Measures of stress physiology, social behavior, and emotional reactivity were collected to examine functional correlates of the brain structural effects. Apart from expected developmental effects, subordinates had bigger AMYG volumes than dominant animals, most notably in the right hemisphere, but pubertal delay with Lupron-treatment abolished those differences, suggesting a role of gonadal hormones potentiating the brain structural impact of social stress. Subordinates also had elevated baseline cortisol, indicating activation of stress systems. In general, Lupron-treated subjects had smaller AMYG and HC volume than controls, but larger total PFC (driven by bigger GM volumes), and different, region-specific, developmental patterns dependent on age and social rank. These findings highlight a region-specific effect of E2 on structural development during female adolescence, independent of those due to chronological age. Pubertal delay and AMYG volume, in turn, predicted differences in emotional reactivity and social behavior. These findings suggest that exposure to developmental increases in E2 modifies the consequences of adverse social experience on the volume of cortico-limbic regions involved in emotional and stress regulation during maturation. But, even more importantly, they indicate different brain structural effects of chronological age and pubertal developmental stage in females, which are very difficult to disentangle in human studies. These findings have additional relevance for young girls who experience prolonged pubertal delays or for those whose puberty is clinically arrested by pharmacological administration of Lupron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi R Godfrey
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Brittany R Howell
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University, 12 Executive Park Drive NE #200, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA; Department of Human Development and Family Science, Virginia Tech, 366 Wallace Hall, 295 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Amanda Mummert
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, 1557 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yundi Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, 352 Medical School Wing C, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Martin Styner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, 352 Medical School Wing C, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Mark E Wilson
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University, 12 Executive Park Drive NE #200, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Mar Sanchez
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University, 12 Executive Park Drive NE #200, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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13
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Bouras NN, Mack NR, Gao WJ. Prefrontal modulation of anxiety through a lens of noradrenergic signaling. Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 17:1173326. [PMID: 37139472 PMCID: PMC10149815 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1173326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are the most common class of mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million individuals annually. Anxiety is an adaptive response to a stressful or unpredictable life event. Though evolutionarily thought to aid in survival, excess intensity or duration of anxiogenic response can lead to a plethora of adverse symptoms and cognitive dysfunction. A wealth of data has implicated the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the regulation of anxiety. Norepinephrine (NE) is a crucial neuromodulator of arousal and vigilance believed to be responsible for many of the symptoms of anxiety disorders. NE is synthesized in the locus coeruleus (LC), which sends major noradrenergic inputs to the mPFC. Given the unique properties of LC-mPFC connections and the heterogeneous subpopulation of prefrontal neurons known to be involved in regulating anxiety-like behaviors, NE likely modulates PFC function in a cell-type and circuit-specific manner. In working memory and stress response, NE follows an inverted-U model, where an overly high or low release of NE is associated with sub-optimal neural functioning. In contrast, based on current literature review of the individual contributions of NE and the PFC in anxiety disorders, we propose a model of NE level- and adrenergic receptor-dependent, circuit-specific NE-PFC modulation of anxiety disorders. Further, the advent of new techniques to measure NE in the PFC with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution will significantly help us understand how NE modulates PFC function in anxiety disorders.
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14
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Johnson SB, Lingg RT, Skog TD, Hinz DC, Romig-Martin SA, Viau V, Narayanan NS, Radley JJ. Activity in a prefrontal-periaqueductal gray circuit overcomes behavioral and endocrine features of the passive coping stress response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210783119. [PMID: 36306326 PMCID: PMC9636920 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210783119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The question of how the brain links behavioral and biological features of defensive responses has remained elusive. The importance of this problem is underscored by the observation that behavioral passivity in stress coping is associated with elevations in glucocorticoid hormones, and each may carry risks for susceptibility to a host of stress-related diseases. Past work implicates the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the top-down regulation of stress-related behaviors; however, it is unknown whether such changes have the capacity to buffer against the longer-lasting biological consequences associated with aversive experiences. Using the shock probe defensive burying test in rats to naturalistically measure behavioral and endocrine features of coping, we observed that the active behavioral component of stress coping is associated with increases in activity along a circuit involving the caudal mPFC and midbrain dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (PAG). Optogenetic manipulations of the caudal mPFC-to-dorsolateral PAG pathway bidirectionally modulated active (escape and defensive burying) behaviors, distinct from a rostral mPFC-ventrolateral PAG circuit that instead limited passive (immobility) behavior. Strikingly, under conditions that biased rats toward a passive coping response set, including exaggerated stress hormonal output and increased immobility, excitation of the caudal mPFC-dorsolateral PAG projection significantly attenuated each of these features. These results lend insight into how the brain coordinates response features to overcome passive coping and may be of importance for understanding how activated neural systems promote stress resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane B. Johnson
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Ryan T. Lingg
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Timothy D. Skog
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Dalton C. Hinz
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Sara A. Romig-Martin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Victor Viau
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Nandakumar S. Narayanan
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Jason J. Radley
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
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15
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Woon EP, Butkovich LM, Peluso AA, Elbasheir A, Taylor K, Gourley SL. Medial orbitofrontal neurotrophin systems integrate hippocampal input into outcome-specific value representations. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111334. [PMID: 36103822 PMCID: PMC9799221 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In everyday life, we mentally represent possible consequences of our behaviors and integrate specific outcome values into existing knowledge to inform decisions. The medial orbitofrontal cortex (MO) is necessary to adapt behaviors when outcomes are not immediately available-when they and their values need to be envisioned. Nevertheless, neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. We find that the neuroplasticity-associated neurotrophin receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) is necessary for mice to integrate outcome-specific value information into choice behavior. This function appears attributable to memory updating (and not retrieval) and the stabilization of dendritic spines on excitatory MO neurons, which led us to investigate inputs to the MO. Ventral hippocampal (vHC)-to-MO projections appear conditionally necessary for value updating, involved in long-term aversion-based value memory updating. Furthermore, vHC-MO-mediated control of choice is TrkB dependent. Altogether, we reveal a vHC-MO connection by which specific value memories are updated, and we position TrkB within this functional circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen P Woon
- Graduate Training Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Laura M Butkovich
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Arianna A Peluso
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Aziz Elbasheir
- Graduate Training Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kian Taylor
- Graduate Training Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Graduate Training Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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16
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Li DC, Dighe NM, Barbee BR, Pitts EG, Kochoian B, Blumenthal SA, Figueroa J, Leong T, Gourley SL. A molecularly integrated amygdalo-fronto-striatal network coordinates flexible learning and memory. Nat Neurosci 2022; 25:1213-1224. [PMID: 36042313 PMCID: PMC10614133 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01148-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral flexibility-that is, the ability to deviate from established behavioral sequences-is critical for navigating dynamic environments and requires the durable encoding and retrieval of new memories to guide future choice. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) supports outcome-guided behaviors. However, the coordinated neural circuitry and cellular mechanisms by which OFC connections sustain flexible learning and memory remain elusive. Here we demonstrate in mice that basolateral amygdala (BLA)→OFC projections bidirectionally control memory formation when familiar behaviors are unexpectedly not rewarded, whereas OFC→dorsomedial striatum (DMS) projections facilitate memory retrieval. OFC neuronal ensembles store a memory trace for newly learned information, which appears to be facilitated by circuit-specific dendritic spine plasticity and neurotrophin signaling within defined BLA-OFC-DMS connections and obstructed by cocaine. Thus, we describe the directional transmission of information within an integrated amygdalo-fronto-striatal circuit across time, whereby novel memories are encoded by BLA→OFC inputs, represented within OFC ensembles and retrieved via OFC→DMS outputs during future choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan C Li
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Niharika M Dighe
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Britton R Barbee
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth G Pitts
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Brik Kochoian
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah A Blumenthal
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Janet Figueroa
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Traci Leong
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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17
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Avalos MP, Guzman AS, Garcia-Keller C, Mongi-Bragato B, Esparza MA, Rigoni D, Sanchez MA, Calfa GD, Bollati FA, Cancela LM. Impairment of glutamate homeostasis in the nucleus accumbens core underpins cross-sensitization to cocaine following chronic restraint stress. Front Physiol 2022; 13:896268. [PMID: 36091376 PMCID: PMC9462460 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.896268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Though the facilitating influence of stress on drug abuse is well documented, the mechanisms underlying this interaction have yet to be fully elucidated. The present study explores the neurobiological mechanisms underpinning the sensitized response to the psychomotor-stimulating effects of cocaine following chronic restraint stress (CRS), emphasizing the differential contribution of both subcompartments of the nucleus accumbens (NA), the core (NAcore) and shell (NAshell), to this phenomenon. Adult male Wistar rats were restrained for 2 h/day for 7 days and, 2 weeks after the last stress exposure (day 21), all animals were randomly assigned to behavioral, biochemical or neurochemical tests. Our results demonstrated that the enduring CRS-induced increase in psychostimulant response to cocaine was paralleled by an increase of extracellular dopamine levels in the NAcore, but not the NAshell, greater than that observed in the non-stress group. Furthermore, we found that CRS induced an impairment of glutamate homeostasis in the NAcore, but not the NAshell. Its hallmarks were increased basal extracellular glutamate concentrations driven by a CRS-induced downregulation of GLT-1, blunted glutamate levels in response to cocaine and postsynaptic structural remodeling in pre-stressed animals. In addition, ceftriaxone, a known GLT-1 enhancer, prevented the CRS-induced GLT-1 downregulation, increased basal extracellular glutamate concentrations and changes in structural plasticity in the NAcore as well as behavioral cross-sensitization to cocaine, emphasizing the biological importance of GLT-1 in the comorbidity between chronic stress exposure and drug abuse. A future perspective concerning the paramount relevance of the stress-induced disruption of glutamate homeostasis as a vulnerability factor to the development of stress and substance use disorders during early life or adulthood of descendants is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Flavia A. Bollati
- Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Liliana M. Cancela
- Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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18
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Abstract
Depression is an episodic form of mental illness characterized by mood state transitions with poorly understood neurobiological mechanisms. Antidepressants reverse the effects of stress and depression on synapse function, enhancing neurotransmission, increasing plasticity, and generating new synapses in stress-sensitive brain regions. These properties are shared to varying degrees by all known antidepressants, suggesting that synaptic remodeling could play a key role in depression pathophysiology and antidepressant function. Still, it is unclear whether and precisely how synaptogenesis contributes to mood state transitions. Here, we review evidence supporting an emerging model in which depression is defined by a distinct brain state distributed across multiple stress-sensitive circuits, with neurons assuming altered functional properties, synapse configurations, and, importantly, a reduced capacity for plasticity and adaptation. Antidepressants act initially by facilitating plasticity and enabling a functional reconfiguration of this brain state. Subsequently, synaptogenesis plays a specific role in sustaining these changes over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puja K Parekh
- Department of Psychiatry and Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA;
| | - Shane B Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry and Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA;
| | - Conor Liston
- Department of Psychiatry and Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA;
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19
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Lee MT, Peng WH, Kan HW, Wu CC, Wang DW, Ho YC. Neurobiology of Depression: Chronic Stress Alters the Glutamatergic System in the Brain-Focusing on AMPA Receptor. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051005. [PMID: 35625742 PMCID: PMC9138646 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder affecting the mood and mental well-being. Its pathophysiology remains elusive due to the complexity and heterogeneity of this disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Chronic stress is frequently cited as the one of the risk factors for MDD. To date, the conventional monoaminergic theory (serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine dysregulation) has received the most attention in the treatment of MDD, and all available classes of antidepressants target these monoaminergic systems. However, the contributions of other neurotransmitter systems in MDD have been widely reported. Emerging preclinical and clinical findings reveal that maladaptive glutamatergic neurotransmission might underlie the pathophysiology of MDD, thus revealing its critical role in the neurobiology of MDD and as the therapeutic target. Aiming beyond the monoaminergic hypothesis, studies of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the stress-induced impairment of AMPA (a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid)-glutamatergic neurotransmission in the brain could provide novel insights for the development of a new generation of antidepressants without the detrimental side effects. Here, the authors reviewed the recent literature focusing on the role of AMPA-glutamatergic neurotransmission in stress-induced maladaptive responses in emotional and mood-associated brain regions, including the hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and periaqueductal gray.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Tatt Lee
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia;
| | - Wei-Hao Peng
- School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City 82445, Taiwan; (W.-H.P.); (H.-W.K.)
| | - Hung-Wei Kan
- School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City 82445, Taiwan; (W.-H.P.); (H.-W.K.)
| | - Cheng-Chun Wu
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City 82445, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (D.-W.W.)
| | - Deng-Wu Wang
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City 82445, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (D.-W.W.)
- Department of Psychiatry, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung City 82445, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Cheng Ho
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City 82445, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (D.-W.W.)
- Correspondence:
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20
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Sarkar T, Patro N, Patro IK. Perinatal exposure to synergistic multiple stressors lead to cellular and behavioral deficits mimicking Schizophrenia like pathology. Biol Open 2022; 11:274201. [PMID: 35107124 PMCID: PMC8918990 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein malnourishment and immune stress are potent perinatal stressors, encountered by children born under poor socioeconomic conditions. Thus, it is necessary to investigate how such stressors synergistically contribute towards developing neurological disorders in affected individuals. Pups from Wistar females, maintained on normal (high-protein, HP:20%) and low-protein (LP:8%) diets were used. Single and combined exposures of Poly I:C (viral mimetic: 5 mg/kg body weight) and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS; bacterial endotoxin: 0.3 mg/kg body weight) were injected to both HP and LP pups at postnatal days (PND) 3 and 9 respectively, creating eight groups: HP (control); HP+Poly I:C; HP+LPS; HP+Poly I:C+LPS; LP; LP+Poly I:C; LP+LPS; LP+Poly I:C+LPS (multi-hit). The effects of stressors on hippocampal cytoarchitecture and behavioral abilities were studied at PND 180. LP animals were found to be more vulnerable to immune stressors than HP animals and symptoms like neuronal damage, spine loss, downregulation of Egr 1 and Arc proteins, gliosis and behavioral deficits were maximum in the multi-hit group. Thus, from these findings it is outlined that cellular and behavioral changes that occur following multi-hit exposure may predispose individuals to developing Schizophrenia-like pathologies during adulthood. Summary: This study reports that exposure to perinatal multi-hit stress (protein malnourishment and immune stress) causes changes in the hippocampal cells alongside behavioral deficits which are also observed in Schizophrenic condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiyasha Sarkar
- School of Studies in Neuroscience, Jiwaji University, Gwalior-474011, India
| | - Nisha Patro
- School of Studies in Neuroscience, Jiwaji University, Gwalior-474011, India
| | - Ishan Kumar Patro
- School of Studies in Neuroscience, Jiwaji University, Gwalior-474011, India
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21
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Laine M, Shansky R. Rodent models of stress and dendritic plasticity – Implications for psychopathology. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 17:100438. [PMID: 35257016 PMCID: PMC8897597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress, as commonplace as it is, is a major environmental risk factor for psychopathology. While this association intuitively, anecdotally, and empirically makes sense, we are still very early in the process of understanding what the neurobiological manifestations of this risk truly are. Seminal work from the past few decades has established structural plasticity in the brain as a potential key mechanism. In this review we discuss evidence linking particularly chronic stress exposure in rodent models to plasticity at the dendrites, like remodeling of dendritic branches and spines, in a range of brain regions. A number of candidate mechanisms that seek to explain how stress influences neuroanatomy at this level have been proposed, utilizing in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro methods. However, a large gap still remains in our knowledge of how such dynamic structural changes ultimately relate to downstream effects such as altered affective and cognitive states relevant for psychopathology. We propose that future work expand our understanding of plasticity of specific stress-related brain circuits and cell-types. We also note that the vast majority of the work has been conducted solely on male rodents. The next big strides in our understanding of the neurobiology of psychopathology will require the inclusion of female subjects, as several studies have suggested both sex divergent and convergent features. By understanding plasticity, we can harness it. The growth of this body of knowledge will inform our efforts to improve the therapeutic options for stress-related psychopathology.
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22
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Nashed MG, Waye S, Hasan SMN, Nguyen D, Wiseman M, Zhang J, Lau H, Dinesh OC, Raymond R, Greig IR, Bambico FR, Nobrega JN. Antidepressant activity of pharmacological and genetic deactivation of the small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel subtype-3. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:253-266. [PMID: 34982171 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-06045-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The voltage-insensitive, small-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channel is a key regulator of neuronal depolarization and is implicated in the pathophysiology of depressive disorders. OBJECTIVE We ascertained whether the SK channel is impaired in the chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) model and whether it can serve as a molecular target of antidepressant action. METHODS We assessed the depressive-like behavioral phenotype of CUS-exposed rats and performed post-mortem SK channel binding and activity-dependent zif268 mRNA analyses on their brains. To begin an assessment of SK channel subtypes involved, we examined the effects of genetic and pharmacological inhibition of the SK3 channel using conditional knockout mice and selective SK3 channel negative allosteric modulators (NAMs). RESULTS We found that [125I]apamin binding to SK channels is increased in the prefrontal cortex and decreased in the hippocampus, an effect that was associated with reciprocal levels of zif268 mRNA transcripts indicating abnormal regional cell activity in this model. We found that genetic and pharmacological manipulations significantly decreased immobility in the forced swim test without altering general locomotor activity, a hallmark of antidepressant-like activity. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings link depression-related neural and behavioral pathophysiology with abnormal SK channel functioning and suggest that this can be reversed by the selective inhibition of SK3 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina G Nashed
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Shannon Waye
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - S M Nageeb Hasan
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Diana Nguyen
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Micaela Wiseman
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Jing Zhang
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Harry Lau
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - O Chandani Dinesh
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Roger Raymond
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Iain R Greig
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland
| | - Francis Rodriguez Bambico
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada. .,Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, A1B 3X9, Canada.
| | - José N Nobrega
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
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23
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Ding JX, Rudak PT, Inoue W, Haeryfar SM. Physical restraint mouse models to assess immune responses under stress with or without habituation. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100838. [PMID: 34568850 PMCID: PMC8449122 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Physical confinement, or restraint, is a psychological stressor used in rodent studies. A single restraint episode elevates blood corticosterone levels, a hallmark of stress responses. Repeated restraint results in habituation (or desensitization), whereas chronic exposure to unpredictable stressors fails to induce habituation. Here, we provide our protocols and guidelines in using three mouse restraint models, namely prolonged restraint stress, repeated restraint stress, and chronic variable stress, to examine immunological homeostasis/competence, or lack thereof, under stress with or without habituation. For complete information on the generation and use of these protocols, please refer to Rudak et al. (2021). Three physical restraint mouse models to study the impact of long-term stress on immunity A model of prolonged restraint stress altering immune homeostasis/competence A model of repeated daily restraint stress resulting in habituation in animals An optimized protocol for chronic variable stress circumventing habituation
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xiang Ding
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Patrick T. Rudak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Wataru Inoue
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Corresponding author
| | - S.M. Mansour Haeryfar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Western University, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Western University, London, ON N6A 5A5, Canada
- Corresponding author
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24
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Zhu H, Wang W, Sha C, Guo W, Li C, Zhao F, Wang H, Jiang W, Tian J. Pharmacological Characterization of Toludesvenlafaxine as a Triple Reuptake Inhibitor. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:741794. [PMID: 34594228 PMCID: PMC8476831 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.741794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toludesvenlafaxine hydrochloride dihydrate is a novel chemical entity and a potential triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor. This study characterized the in vitro triple reuptake inhibition activity, antidepressant-like activity in animals, and pharmacokinetic profiles in rats of toludesvenlafaxine. Binding affinity was determined using human serotonin transporter (SERT) protein, norepinephrine transporter (NET) protein and dopamine transporter (DAT) protein, and the reuptake inhibition was determined using Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human SERT, NET and DAT. The antidepressant-like activity was examined in rat chronic unpredictable mild stress model and olfactory bulbectomized model. In rats, the tissue distribution and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined. Toludesvenlafaxine had high binding affinity on SERT, NET and DAT, and significantly inhibited the reuptake of serotonin (IC50 = 31.4 ± 0.4 nM), norepinephrine (IC50 = 586.7 ± 83.6 nM) and dopamine (IC50 = 733.2 ± 10.3 nM) in vitro. Toludesvenlafaxine demonstrated significant antidepressant-like effects in rat models at 8-16 mg/kg. In addition, toludesvenlafaxine significantly reduced serum corticosterone and significantly increased testosterone levels in rats. Toludesvenlafaxine was quickly absorbed and converted to O-desvenlafaxine (ODV) after oral administration, both of which were selectively distributed into the hypothalamus with high concentration. Plasma ODV exposure was proportionally related to the doses after oral dosing. These results suggest that toludesvenlafaxine is a triple reuptake inhibitor with relatively fast-acting antidepressant-like activity and good therapeutic profile including improvement of anhedonia and sexual function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Wenyan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Chunjie Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Long-acting and Targeting Drug Delivery System, R&D of Luye Pharmaceutical Group, Yantai, China
| | - Wei Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Chunmei Li
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Fengjuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Long-acting and Targeting Drug Delivery System, R&D of Luye Pharmaceutical Group, Yantai, China
| | - Hongbo Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Wanglin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Long-acting and Targeting Drug Delivery System, R&D of Luye Pharmaceutical Group, Yantai, China
| | - Jingwei Tian
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Long-acting and Targeting Drug Delivery System, R&D of Luye Pharmaceutical Group, Yantai, China
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25
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Wu J, Liu C, Zhang L, He B, Shi WP, Shi HL, Qin C. Chronic restraint stress impairs cognition via modulating HDAC2 expression. Transl Neurosci 2021; 12:154-163. [PMID: 33986954 PMCID: PMC8090798 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2020-0168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate the effects of chronic restraint stress on cognition and the probable molecular mechanism in mice. Methods In the current work, a restraining tube was used as a way to induce chronic stress in mice. The protein levels were determined with ELISA and western blot. A series of behavior tests, including the Morris water maze, elevated plus maze, open field test, and novel object recognition test, were also performed to examine the anxiety and the ability of learning and memory. Moreover, murine neuroblastoma N2a cells were used to confirm the findings from mice under chronic stress. Results Decreased synaptic functions were impaired in chronic stress with the downregulation of PSD95, GluR-1, the neurotrophic factor BDNF, and immediate-onset genes Arc and Egr. Chronic restraint decreased the histone acetylation level in hippocampal neurons while HDAC2 was increased and was co-localized with glucocorticoid receptors. Moreover, chronic stress inhibited the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and induced energy metabolism dysfunctions. Conclusion This work examining the elevated levels of HDAC2 in the hippocampus may provide new insights and targets for drug development for treating many neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wu
- Pathology Department, Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) and Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS), Panjiayuan Nanli No. 5, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16, Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, Shandong province, 266003, People's Republic of China
| | - Cui Liu
- Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) and Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS), Panjiayuan Nanli No. 5, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) and Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS), Panjiayuan Nanli No. 5, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing He
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16, Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, Shandong province, 266003, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Ping Shi
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16, Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, Shandong province, 266003, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Lei Shi
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16, Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, Shandong province, 266003, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuan Qin
- Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) and Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS), Panjiayuan Nanli No. 5, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
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26
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Ligon CO, Hannig G, Greenwood-Van Meerveld B. Peripheral Guanylate Cyclase-C modulation of corticolimbic activation and corticotropin-releasing factor signaling in a rat model of stress-induced colonic hypersensitivity. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021; 33:e14076. [PMID: 33373484 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychological stress is a risk factor for irritable bowel syndrome, a functional gastrointestinal pain disorder featuring abnormal brain-gut connectivity. The guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) agonist linaclotide has been shown to relieve abdominal pain in IBS-C and exhibits antinociceptive effects in rodent models of post-inflammatory visceral hypersensitivity. However, the role GC-C signaling plays in psychological stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity is unknown. Here, we test the hypothesis that GC-C agonism reverses stress-induced colonic hypersensitivity via inhibition of nociceptive afferent signaling resulting in normalization of stress-altered corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) expression in brain regions involved in pain perception and modulation. METHODS Adult female rats were exposed to water avoidance stress or sham stress for 10 days, and the effects of linaclotide on stress-induced changes in colonic sensitivity, corticolimbic phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK), and CRF expression were measured using a combination of behavioral assessments, immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR. KEY RESULTS Stressed rats exhibited colonic hypersensitivity and elevated corticolimbic pERK on day 11, which was inhibited by linaclotide. qRT-PCR analysis revealed dysregulated CRF expression in the medial prefrontal cortex, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and central nucleus of the amygdala on day 28. Dysregulated CRF expression was not affected by linaclotide treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES Our results demonstrate that exposure to repeated stress induces chronic colonic hypersensitivity in conjunction with altered corticolimbic activation and CRF expression. GC-C agonism attenuated stress-induced colonic hypersensitivity and ERK phosphorylation, but had no effect on CRF expression, suggesting the analgesic effects of linaclotide occur independent of stress-driven CRF gene expression in corticolimbic circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey O Ligon
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | | | - Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.,Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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27
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Xie X, Song J, Zhu J, Han M, He Y, Huang J, Tao J, Wu J. The effectiveness of Tai Chi on the depressive symptom of young adults with subthreshold depression: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2021; 22:106. [PMID: 33516240 PMCID: PMC7847042 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05054-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is seriously affecting the physical and mental health of young people worldwide. Subthreshold depression, as an early stage of depression, is essential for early prevention and treatment of depression. Tai Chi, as a traditional Chinese mind-body therapy, may become an alternative intervention. However, the neurophysiological mechanism of Tai Chi for young people with subthreshold depression remains unclear, restricting its further promotion and application. Therefore, rigorous randomized clinical trials are needed to further observe the intervention effect of Tai Chi on young adults with subthreshold depression and explore the neurophysiological mechanism. METHOD/DESIGN This report describes a two-arm, randomized, parallel controlled trial with allocation concealment and assessor blinding. A total of 64 eligible participants are randomly allocated to the Tai Chi group and the waiting list group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the Tai Chi group receive 12 weeks of Tai Chi training, with a total of 36 times and each for 60 min. Specifically, the participants in the waiting list group are requested to maintain their routine lifestyle. In this study, the primary outcome measure is the mean change in scores on the PHQ-9 and HAMD-17 between baseline and 12 weeks; the secondary outcomes are the mean change in the scores on CES-D, CPSS, GAD-7, and PSQI. Besides, the saliva cortisol levels and fMRI are monitored to explore the mechanism of action of Tai Chi on subthreshold depression. DISCUSSION The protocol uses a randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of Tai Chi for young adults with subthreshold depression and explore neurophysiological mechanisms. If the test results are positive, it can be verified that Tai Chi can promote the physical and mental health of young adults with subthreshold depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900028289 . Registered on 17 December 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Xie
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,Key Laboratory of Orthopedics & Traumatology of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rehabilitation (Fu Jian university of TCM), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Jian Song
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,Key Laboratory of Orthopedics & Traumatology of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rehabilitation (Fu Jian university of TCM), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Jingfang Zhu
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,Key Laboratory of Orthopedics & Traumatology of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rehabilitation (Fu Jian university of TCM), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Mengyu Han
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,Key Laboratory of Orthopedics & Traumatology of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rehabilitation (Fu Jian university of TCM), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Youze He
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,Key Laboratory of Orthopedics & Traumatology of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rehabilitation (Fu Jian university of TCM), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Jia Huang
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,Key Laboratory of Orthopedics & Traumatology of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rehabilitation (Fu Jian university of TCM), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,TCM Rehabilitation Research Center Of SATCM, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Jing Tao
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,Key Laboratory of Orthopedics & Traumatology of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rehabilitation (Fu Jian university of TCM), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, China.,TCM Rehabilitation Research Center Of SATCM, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Jingsong Wu
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China. .,Key Laboratory of Orthopedics & Traumatology of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rehabilitation (Fu Jian university of TCM), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, 350122, China. .,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, China. .,TCM Rehabilitation Research Center Of SATCM, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
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28
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Glover LR, McFadden KM, Bjorni M, Smith SR, Rovero NG, Oreizi-Esfahani S, Yoshida T, Postle AF, Nonaka M, Halladay LR, Holmes A. A prefrontal-bed nucleus of the stria terminalis circuit limits fear to uncertain threat. eLife 2020; 9:60812. [PMID: 33319747 PMCID: PMC7899651 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In many cases of trauma, the same environmental stimuli that become associated with aversive events are experienced on other occasions without adverse consequence. We examined neural circuits underlying partially reinforced fear (PRF), whereby mice received tone-shock pairings on half of conditioning trials. Tone-elicited freezing was lower after PRF conditioning than fully reinforced fear (FRF) conditioning, despite an equivalent number of tone-shock pairings. PRF preferentially activated medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Chemogenetic inhibition of BNST-projecting mPFC neurons increased PRF, not FRF, freezing. Multiplexing chemogenetics with in vivo neuronal recordings showed elevated infralimbic cortex (IL) neuronal activity during CS onset and freezing cessation; these neural correlates were abolished by chemogenetic mPFC→BNST inhibition. These data suggest that mPFC→BNST neurons limit fear to threats with a history of partial association with an aversive stimulus, with potential implications for understanding the neural basis of trauma-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas R Glover
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, United States
| | - Kerry M McFadden
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, United States
| | - Max Bjorni
- Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, United States
| | - Sawyer R Smith
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, United States
| | - Natalie G Rovero
- Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, United States
| | - Sarvar Oreizi-Esfahani
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, United States
| | - Takayuki Yoshida
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, United States
| | - Abagail F Postle
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, United States
| | - Mio Nonaka
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, United States
| | - Lindsay R Halladay
- Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, United States
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, United States
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29
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Kirch C, Gollo LL. Spatially resolved dendritic integration: towards a functional classification of neurons. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10250. [PMID: 33282551 PMCID: PMC7694565 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The vast tree-like dendritic structure of neurons allows them to receive and integrate input from many neurons. A wide variety of neuronal morphologies exist, however, their role in dendritic integration, and how it shapes the response of the neuron, is not yet fully understood. Here, we study the evolution and interactions of dendritic spikes in excitable neurons with complex real branch structures. We focus on dozens of digitally reconstructed illustrative neurons from the online repository NeuroMorpho.org, which contains over 130,000 neurons. Yet, our methods can be promptly extended to any other neuron. This approach allows us to estimate and map specific and heterogeneous patterns of activity observed across extensive dendritic trees with thousands of compartments. We propose a classification of neurons based on the location of the soma (centrality) and the number of branches connected to the soma. These are key topological factors in determining the neuron's energy consumption, firing rate, and the dynamic range, which quantifies the range in synaptic input rate that can be reliably encoded by the neuron's firing rate. Moreover, we find that bifurcations, the structural building blocks of complex dendrites, play a major role in increasing the dynamic range of neurons. Our results provide a better understanding of the effects of neuronal morphology in the diversity of neuronal dynamics and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Kirch
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Leonardo L. Gollo
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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30
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Barfield ET, Sequeira MK, Parsons RG, Gourley SL. Morphological Responses of Excitatory Prelimbic and Orbitofrontal Cortical Neurons to Excess Corticosterone in Adolescence and Acute Stress in Adulthood. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:45. [PMID: 33013327 PMCID: PMC7506158 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Considerable evidence indicates that chronic stress and excess glucocorticoids induce neuronal remodeling in prefrontal cortical (PFC) regions. Adolescence is also characterized by a structural reorganization of PFC neurons, yet interactions between stress- and age-related structural plasticity are still being determined. We quantified dendritic spine densities on apical dendrites of excitatory neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex, prelimbic subregion (PL). Densities decreased across adolescent development, as expected, and spine volume increased. Unexpectedly, exposure to excess corticosterone (CORT) throughout adolescence did not cause additional dendritic spine loss detectable in adulthood. As a positive control dendrite population expected to be sensitive to CORT, we imaged neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), confirming CORT-induced dendritic spine attrition on basal arbors of layer V neurons. We next assessed the effects of acute, mild stress in adulthood: On PL neurons, an acute stressor increased the density of mature, mushroom-shaped spines. Meanwhile, on OFC neurons, dendritic spine volumes and lengths were lower in mice exposed to both CORT and an acute stressor (also referred to as a "double hit"). In sum, prolonged exposure to excess glucocorticoids during adolescence can have morphological and also metaplastic consequences, but they are not global. Anatomical considerations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T. Barfield
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michelle K. Sequeira
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Graduate Training Programs in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ryan G. Parsons
- Graduate Program in Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Shannon L. Gourley
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Graduate Training Programs in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Luo H, Wu PF, Cao Y, Jin M, Shen TT, Wang J, Huang JG, Han QQ, He JG, Deng SL, Ni L, Hu ZL, Long LH, Wang F, Chen JG. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Rapidly Ameliorates Depressive-Type Behaviors via Bradykinin-Dependent Activation of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:415-425. [PMID: 32220499 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are widely prescribed antihypertensive agents. Intriguingly, case reports and clinical trials have indicated that ACEIs, including captopril and lisinopril, may have a rapid mood-elevating effect in certain patients, but few experimental studies have investigated their value as fast-onset antidepressants. METHODS The present study consisted of a series of experiments using biochemical assays, immunohistochemistry, and behavioral techniques to examine the effect and mechanism of captopril on depressive-like behavior in 2 animal models, the chronic unpredictable stress model and the chronic social defeat stress model. RESULTS Captopril (19.5 or 39 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) exerted rapid antidepressant activity in mice treated under the chronic unpredictable stress model and mice treated under the chronic social defeat stress model. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that captopril crossed the blood-brain barrier and that lisinopril, another ACEI with better blood-brain barrier permeability, exerted a faster and longer-lasting effect at a same molar equivalent dose. This antidepressant effect seemed to be independent of the renin-angiotensin system, but dependent on the bradykinin (BK) system, since the decreased BK detected in the stressed mice could be reversed by captopril. The hypofunction of the downstream effector of BK, Cdc42 (cell division control protein 42) homolog, contributed to the stress-induced loss of dendritic spines, which was rapidly reversed by captopril via activating the mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1) pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the BK-dependent activation of mTORC1 may represent a promising mechanism underlying antidepressant pharmacology. Considering their affordability and availability, ACEIs may emerge as a novel fast-onset antidepressant, especially for patients with comorbid depression and hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Peng-Fei Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan, Hubei, China; The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Institute of Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ming Jin
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tian-Tian Shen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ji Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jian-Geng Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qian-Qian Han
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jin-Gang He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Si-Long Deng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lan Ni
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhuang-Li Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan, Hubei, China; The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Li-Hong Long
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan, Hubei, China; The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Institute of Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan, Hubei, China; The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Institute of Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; The Collaborative-Innovation Center for Brain Science, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Jian-Guo Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan, Hubei, China; The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Institute of Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; The Collaborative-Innovation Center for Brain Science, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Lyons CE, Bartolomucci A. Stress and Alzheimer's disease: A senescence link? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 115:285-298. [PMID: 32461080 PMCID: PMC7483955 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress has been shown to promote numerous aging-related diseases, and to accelerate the aging process itself. Of particular interest is the impact of stress on Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia. The vast majority of AD cases have no known genetic cause, making it vital to identify the environmental factors involved in the onset and progression of the disease. Age is the greatest risk factor for AD, and measures of biological aging such as shorter telomere length, significantly increase likelihood for developing AD. Stress is also considered a crucial contributor to AD, as indicated by a formidable body of research, although the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. Here we review human and animal literature on the impact of stress on AD and discuss the mechanisms implicated in the interaction. In particular we will focus on the burgeoning body of research demonstrating that senescent cells, which accumulate with age and actively drive a number of aging-related diseases, may be a key mechanism through which stress drives AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey E Lyons
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, United States; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, United States.
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Song Y, Meng QX, Wu K, Hua R, Song ZJ, Song Y, Qin X, Cao JL, Zhang YM. Disinhibition of PVN-projecting GABAergic neurons in AV region in BNST participates in visceral hypersensitivity in rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 117:104690. [PMID: 32417623 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Ample evidence suggests that early life stress (ELS) is a high-risk factor for the development of visceral pain disorders, whereas the mechanism underlying neuronal circuit remains elusive. Herein, we employed neonatal colorectal distension (CRD) to induce visceral hypersensitivity in rats. A combination of electrophysiology, pharmacology, behavioral test, molecular biology, chemogenetics and optogenetics confirmed that CRD in neonatal rats could predispose the elevated firing frequency of the parvocellular corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) in adulthood, with the CRH neurons activated and the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSC) diminished, both contributing to chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Moreover, following administration of exogenous GABA (300 mM/0.5 μL) and GABAA receptor agonist muscimol (3 mM/0.5 μL) in PVN, visceral hyperalgesia was abrogated. In addition, the PVN-projecting GABAergic neurons were mainly distributed in the anterior ventral (AV) region in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST), and the excitability of these GABAergic neurons was weakened in visceral hypersensitivity. Specific depletion of the GABAergic neurons in AV region precipitated visceral hyperalgesia. Moreover, chemogenetic activation of the PVN-projecting neurons alleviated the visceral hypersensitivity. Photoactivation of PVN-projecting GABAergic neurons abated the visceral hypersensitivity in neonatal-CRD rats, whereas photoinhibition evoked visceral hyperalgesia in naïve rats. Our findings demonstrated that disinhibition of the PVN-projecting GABAergic neurons in AV region contributed to the excitation of CRH neurons, thereby mediating visceral hypersensitivity. Our study might provide a novel insight into the neuronal circuits involved in the ELS-induced visceral hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Song
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China; Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221002, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China
| | - Qing-Xiang Meng
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China
| | - Ke Wu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China
| | - Rong Hua
- Department of Emergency, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221002, China
| | - Zhi-Jing Song
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China
| | - Ying Song
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China
| | - Xia Qin
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China.
| | - Yong-Mei Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221004, China.
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Reding KM, Styner MM, Wilson ME, Toufexis D, Sanchez MM. Social subordination alters estradiol-induced changes in cortico-limbic brain volumes in adult female rhesus monkeys. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 114:104592. [PMID: 32023501 PMCID: PMC7178918 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Women have a higher risk of developing stress-related disorders compared to men and the experience of a stressful life event is a potent risk-factor. The rodent literature suggests that chronic exposure to stressors as well as 17β-estradiol (E2) can result in alterations in neuronal structure in corticolimbic brain regions, however the translation of these data to humans is limited by the nature of the stressor experienced and issues of brain homology. To address these limitations, we used a well-validated rhesus monkey model of social subordination to examine effects of E2 treatment on subordinate (high stress) and dominant (low stress) female brain structure, including regional gray matter and white matter volumes using structural magnetic resonance imaging. Our results show that one month of E2 treatment in ovariectomized females, compared to control (no) treatment, decreased frontal cortex gray matter volume regardless of social status. In contrast, in the cingulate cortex, an area associated with stress-induced emotional processing, E2 decreased grey matter volume in subordinates but increased it in dominant females. Together these data suggest that physiologically relevant levels of E2 alter cortical gray matter volumes in females after only one month of treatment and interact with chronic social stress to modulate these effects on brain structure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin M. Styner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
| | - Mark E. Wilson
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University,,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University
| | - Donna Toufexis
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont
| | - Mar M. Sanchez
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University,,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University
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35
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Optogenetic Control of Spine-Head JNK Reveals a Role in Dendritic Spine Regression. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0303-19.2019. [PMID: 31937523 PMCID: PMC7053173 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0303-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we use an optogenetic inhibitor of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) in dendritic spine sub-compartments of rat hippocampal neurons. We show that JNK inhibition exerts rapid (within seconds) reorganization of actin in the spine-head. Using real-time Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to measure JNK activity, we find that either excitotoxic insult (NMDA) or endocrine stress (corticosterone), activate spine-head JNK causing internalization of AMPARs and spine retraction. Both events are prevented upon optogenetic inhibition of JNK, and rescued by JNK inhibition even 2 h after insult. Moreover, we identify that the fast-acting anti-depressant ketamine reduces JNK activity in hippocampal neurons suggesting that JNK inhibition may be a downstream mediator of its anti-depressant effect. In conclusion, we show that JNK activation plays a role in triggering spine elimination by NMDA or corticosterone stress, whereas inhibition of JNK facilitates regrowth of spines even in the continued presence of glucocorticoid. This identifies that JNK acts locally in the spine-head to promote AMPAR internalization and spine shrinkage following stress, and reveals a protective function for JNK inhibition in preventing spine regression.
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36
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Anderson RM, Johnson SB, Lingg RT, Hinz DC, Romig-Martin SA, Radley JJ. Evidence for Similar Prefrontal Structural and Functional Alterations in Male and Female Rats Following Chronic Stress or Glucocorticoid Exposure. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:353-370. [PMID: 31184364 PMCID: PMC7029687 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous work of ours and others has documented regressive changes in neuronal architecture and function in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of male rats following chronic stress. As recent focus has shifted toward understanding whether chronic stress effects on mPFC are sexually dimorphic, here we undertake a comprehensive analysis to address this issue. First, we show that chronic variable stress (14-day daily exposure to different challenges) resulted in a comparable degree of adrenocortical hyperactivity, working memory impairment, and dendritic spine loss in mPFC pyramidal neurons in both sexes. Next, exposure of female rats to 21-day regimen of corticosterone resulted in a similar pattern of mPFC dendritic spine attrition and increase in spine volume. Finally, we examined the effects of another widely used regimen, chronic restraint stress (CRS, 21-day of daily 6-h restraint), on dendritic spine changes in mPFC in both sexes. CRS resulted in response decrements in adrenocortical output (habituation), and induced a pattern of consistent, but less widespread, dendritic spine loss similar to the foregoing challenges. Our data suggest that chronic stress or glucocorticoid exposure induces a relatively undifferentiated pattern of structural and functional alterations in mPFC in both males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Anderson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Shane B Johnson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ryan T Lingg
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Dalton C Hinz
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sara A Romig-Martin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jason J Radley
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Effects of stress on the structure and function of the medial prefrontal cortex: Insights from animal models. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2019; 150:129-153. [PMID: 32204829 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Stress alters both cognitive and emotional function, and increases risk for a variety of psychological disorders, such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. The prefrontal cortex is critical for executive function and emotion regulation, is a target for stress hormones, and is implicated in many stress-influenced psychological disorders. Therefore, understanding how stress-induced changes in the structure and function of the prefrontal cortex are related to stress-induced changes in behavior may elucidate some of the mechanisms contributing to stress-sensitive disorders. This review focuses on data from rodent models to describe the effects of chronic stress on behaviors mediated by the medial prefrontal cortex, the effects of chronic stress on the morphology and physiology of the medial prefrontal cortex, mechanisms that may mediate these effects, and evidence for sex differences in the effects of stress on the prefrontal cortex. Understanding how stress influences prefrontal cortex and behaviors mediated by it, as well as sex differences in this effect, will elucidate potential avenues for novel interventions for stress-sensitive disorders characterized by deficits in executive function and emotion regulation.
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Bharti V, Tan H, Zhou H, Wang JF. Txnip mediates glucocorticoid-activated NLRP3 inflammatory signaling in mouse microglia. Neurochem Int 2019; 131:104564. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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39
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Barfield ET, Gourley SL. Glucocorticoid-sensitive ventral hippocampal-orbitofrontal cortical connections support goal-directed action - Curt Richter Award Paper 2019. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 110:104436. [PMID: 31526526 PMCID: PMC6859207 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In an ever-changing and often ambiguous environment, organisms must use previously learned associations between antecedents and outcomes to predict future associations and make optimal choices. Chronic stress can impair one's ability to flexibly adjust behaviors when environmental contingencies change, particularly in cases of early-life stress. In mice, exposure to elevated levels of the primary stress hormone, corticosterone (CORT), during early adolescence is sufficient to impair response-outcome decision making later in life, biasing response strategies towards inflexible habits. Nevertheless, neurobiological mechanisms are still being defined. Here, we report that exposure to excess CORT in adolescence causes a loss of dendritic spines on excitatory pyramidal neurons in the lateral, but not medial, orbital prefrontal cortex (loPFC) of mice, and spine loss correlates with the severity of habit biases in adulthood. Excess CORT also reduces the presence of ventral hippocampal (vHC) axon terminals in the loPFC. To identify functional consequences, we inactivated vHC→loPFC projections in typical healthy mice during a period when mice must update response-outcome expectations to optimally acquire food reinforcers. Inactivation impaired the animals' subsequent ability to sustainably choose actions based on likely outcomes, causing them to defer to habit-based response strategies. Thus, vHC→loPFC projections are necessary for response-outcome expectancy updating and a target of excess glucocorticoids during early-life development. Their degradation is likely involved in long-term biases towards habit-based behaviors following glucocorticoid excess in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T Barfield
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Graduate Training Programs in Neuroscience and Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, USA.
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40
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Metabolic effects induced by chronic stress in the amygdala of diabetic rats: A study based on ex vivo 1H NMR spectroscopy. Brain Res 2019; 1723:146377. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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41
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Breach MR, Moench KM, Wellman CL. Social instability in adolescence differentially alters dendritic morphology in the medial prefrontal cortex and its response to stress in adult male and female rats. Dev Neurobiol 2019; 79:839-856. [PMID: 31612626 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is an important period for HPA axis development and synapse maturation and reorganization in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Thus, stress during adolescence could alter stress-sensitive brain regions such as the PFC and may alter the impact of future stressors on these brain regions. Given that women are more susceptible to many stress-linked psychological disorders in which dysfunction of PFC is implicated, and that this increased vulnerability emerges in adolescence, stress during this time could have sex-dependent effects. Therefore, we investigated the effects of adolescent social instability stress (SIS) on dendritic morphology of Golgi-stained pyramidal cells in the medial PFC of adult male and female rats. We then examined dendritic reorganization following chronic restraint stress (CRS) with and without a rest period in adult rats that had been stressed in adolescence. Adolescent SIS conferred long-term alterations in prelimbic of males and females, whereby females show reduced apical length and basilar thin spine density and males show reduced basilar length. CRS in adulthood failed to produce immediate dendritic remodeling in SIS rats. However, CRS followed by a rest period reduced apical dendritic length and increases mushroom spine density in adolescently stressed adult males. Conversely, CRS followed by rest produced apical outgrowth and decreased mushroom spine density in adolescently stressed adult females. These results suggest that stress during adolescence alters development of the PFC and modulates stress-induced dendritic changes in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela R Breach
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Kelly M Moench
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Cara L Wellman
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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42
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Opala EA, Verlezza S, Long H, Rusu D, Woodside B, Walker CD. Experience of Adversity during a First Lactation Modifies Prefrontal Cortex Morphology in Primiparous Female Rats: Lack of Long Term Effects on a Subsequent Lactation. Neuroscience 2019; 417:95-106. [PMID: 31437474 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive experience is associated with morphological and functional plasticity in brain areas important for cognitive and emotional responses, including the infralimbic (IL) medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Here we examined whether suboptimal conditions during a first lactation could modify lactation-induced morphological IL mPFC changes, leading to alterations in stress responses and attention and whether any observed effects would persist into a second lactation. Reduced availability of bedding and nesting material (LB) was used to induce unfavorable conditions in primiparous (P) mothers. In normal bedding (NB) conditions, P mothers exhibited high spine number and density on postpartum day (PPD)10, which greatly decreased 2 weeks after weaning of their pups. In contrast, P-LB mothers had a lower spine number and density on PPD10, which markedly increased after weaning. LB exposure did not modify stress responsiveness to a ferret odor on PPD5 in primiparous or in multiparous (M) females. Number of errors and trials to criterion in the attention set shifting task were not modified by a history of adversity in multiparous females, although this group tended to exhibit higher attentional abilities than M-NB females. These results suggest that adversity acutely reduces morphological plasticity in the maternal mPFC during lactation, an effect that is not associated with significant changes in stress responses and/or glucocorticoid production. Medial PFC morphological changes induced by LB subside during a subsequent lactation as does the effect of maternity itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Opala
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Lasalle Blvd, Montreal, Quebec, QC H4H 1R3, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Silvanna Verlezza
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Lasalle Blvd, Montreal, Quebec, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Hong Long
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Lasalle Blvd, Montreal, Quebec, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Denisa Rusu
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Lasalle Blvd, Montreal, Quebec, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Barbara Woodside
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd W, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Claire-Dominique Walker
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Lasalle Blvd, Montreal, Quebec, QC H4H 1R3, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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Glucocorticoid receptor antagonism prevents microglia-mediated neuronal remodeling and behavioral despair following chronic unpredictable stress. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 81:329-340. [PMID: 31255679 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic deficits and neuronal dystrophy in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are linked to behavioral and cognitive symptoms in depressed individuals. Preclinical studies indicate that chronic stress causes synaptic deficits on pyramidal neurons in the PFC that contribute to behavioral and cognitive impairments. Our recent work shows that chronic stress provokes microglia-mediated neuronal remodeling via neuronal colony stimulating factor (CSF)-1 signaling, leading to synaptic deficits and depressive-like behaviors. Other reports indicate that elevated corticosterone causes pyramidal neuron atrophy and microglia activation in the medial PFC, implicating glucocorticoid signaling in microglia-mediated neuronal remodeling following chronic stress. In this study, male mice were exposed to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) and received daily administration of glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486 (25 mg/kg, i.p.). As expected, CUS exposure caused adrenal hypertrophy and elevated plasma corticosterone levels. Glucocorticoid receptor blockade prevented behavioral despair and cognitive impairments following CUS. Moreover, RU486 administration diminished CUS-induced CSF1 signaling in the PFC and reduced markers of phagocytosis on purified microglia. Confocal imaging in Thy1-GFP(M) mice showed that CUS increased microglia-mediated neuronal remodeling, and RU486 administration attenuated microglial engulfment of neuronal elements and prevented dendritic spine density deficits on pyramidal neurons following CUS. These results demonstrate that chronic stress-induced glucocorticoid signaling promotes CSF1 signaling and microglia-mediated neuronal remodeling in the medial PFC, which contributes to development of behavioral despair and cognitive impairments. This study presents primary evidence that neuroendocrine responses engage neuron-microglia interactions in the PFC; further implicating microglia in stress-induced neuronal remodeling, PFC dysfunction, and associated behavioral consequences.
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Chen X, Jiang Y, Wang J, Liu Y, Xiao M, Song C, Bai Y, Yinuo Han N, Han F. Synapse impairment associated with enhanced apoptosis in post-traumatic stress disorder. Synapse 2019; 74:e22134. [PMID: 31562782 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Synapse impairment is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is characterized by enhanced apoptosis in the hippocampus, amygdala, and other brain regions. However, there are no detailed studies on the relationship between apoptosis and synaptic connectivity in PTSD. In this review, we discuss results from various studies describing the synaptic changes observed in the PTSD brain. A decreased number of dendrites/spines or increased number of immature spines in the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, and other brain regions has been reported. Studies on axon guidance, myelination, and the cytoskeleton suggest that PTSD may involve axon overgrowth and overbranching. Apoptosis affects synapse formation; low levels of caspase maintain the balance between growth cone attraction and repulsion and inhibit axon elongation. PTSD enhances neuronal apoptosis through caspase activation, which disrupts the balance between growth cone attraction and repulsion and alters growth cone trajectory, leading to axon mistargeting. Meanwhile, caspase activation induces dendritic pruning and dendrite degeneration. These events contribute to the formation of fewer and aberrant synapses, which is associated with enhanced apoptosis in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinzhao Chen
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yifan Jiang
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiayu Wang
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yishu Liu
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Menglei Xiao
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Congshan Song
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Bai
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Nancy Yinuo Han
- Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Fang Han
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Bambico FR, Li Z, Creed M, De Gregorio D, Diwan M, Li J, McNeill S, Gobbi G, Raymond R, Nobrega JN. A Key Role for Prefrontocortical Small Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels in Stress Adaptation and Rapid Antidepressant Response. Cereb Cortex 2019; 30:1559-1572. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist scopolamine elicits rapid antidepressant activity, but its underlying mechanism is not fully understood. In a chronic stress model, a single low-dose administration of scopolamine reversed depressive-like reactivity. This antidepressant-like effect was mediated via a muscarinic M1 receptor–SKC pathway because it was mimicked by intra-medial prefrontal cortex (intra-mPFC) infusions of scopolamine, of the M1 antagonist pirenzepine or of the SKC antagonist apamin, but not by the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant fluoxetine. Extracellular and whole-cell recordings revealed that scopolamine and ketamine attenuate the SKC-mediated action potential hyperpolarization current and rapidly enhance mPFC neuronal excitability within the therapeutically relevant time window. The SKC agonist 1-EBIO abrogated scopolamine-induced antidepressant activity at a dose that completely suppressed burst firing activity. Scopolamine also induced a slow-onset activation of raphe serotonergic neurons, which in turn was dependent on mPFC-induced neuroplasticity or excitatory input, since mPFC transection abolished this effect. These early behavioral and mPFC activational effects of scopolamine did not appear to depend on prefrontocortical brain-derived neurotrophic factor and serotonin-1A activity, classically linked to SSRIs, and suggest a novel mechanism associated with antidepressant response onset through SKC-mediated regulation of activity-dependent plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Rodriguez Bambico
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Zhuoliang Li
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Meaghan Creed
- Département des Neurosciences Fondamentales & Service de Neurologie, University of Geneva, Geneva, CH-1211, Switzerland
| | - Danilo De Gregorio
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Mustansir Diwan
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Jessica Li
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Sean McNeill
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Roger Raymond
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - José N Nobrega
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Research Imaging Center, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
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The Selective RhoA Inhibitor Rhosin Promotes Stress Resiliency Through Enhancing D1-Medium Spiny Neuron Plasticity and Reducing Hyperexcitability. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 85:1001-1010. [PMID: 30955841 PMCID: PMC7368664 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nucleus accumbens dopamine 1 receptor medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) play a critical role in the development of depression-like behavior in mice. Social defeat stress causes dendritic morphological changes on this MSN subtype through expression and activation of early growth response 3 (EGR3) and the Rho guanosine triphosphatase RhoA. However, it is unknown how RhoA inhibition affects electrophysiological properties underlying stress-induced susceptibility. METHODS A novel RhoA-specific inhibitor, Rhosin, was used to inhibit RhoA activity following chronic social defeat stress. Whole-cell electrophysiological recordings of D1-MSNs were performed to assess synaptic and intrinsic consequences of Rhosin treatment on stressed mice. Additionally, recorded cells were filled and analyzed for their morphological properties. RESULTS We found that RhoA inhibition prevents both D1-MSN hyperexcitability and reduced excitatory input to D1-MSNs caused by social defeat stress. Nucleus accumbens-specific RhoA inhibition is capable of blocking susceptibility caused by D1-MSN EGR3 expression. Lastly, we found that Rhosin enhances spine density, which correlates with D1-MSN excitability, without affecting overall dendritic branching. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of RhoA during stress drives an enhancement of total spine number in a subset of nucleus accumbens neurons that prevents stress-related electrophysiological deficits and promotes stress resiliency.
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Whyte AJ, Kietzman HW, Swanson AM, Butkovich LM, Barbee BR, Bassell GJ, Gross C, Gourley SL. Reward-Related Expectations Trigger Dendritic Spine Plasticity in the Mouse Ventrolateral Orbitofrontal Cortex. J Neurosci 2019; 39:4595-4605. [PMID: 30940719 PMCID: PMC6554633 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2031-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An essential aspect of goal-directed decision-making is selecting actions based on anticipated consequences, a process that involves the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and potentially, the plasticity of dendritic spines in this region. To investigate this possibility, we trained male and female mice to nose poke for food reinforcers, or we delivered the same number of food reinforcers non-contingently to separate mice. We then decreased the likelihood of reinforcement for trained mice, requiring them to modify action-outcome expectations. In a separate experiment, we blocked action-outcome updating via chemogenetic inactivation of the OFC. In both cases, successfully selecting actions based on their likely consequences was associated with fewer immature, thin-shaped dendritic spines and a greater proportion of mature, mushroom-shaped spines in the ventrolateral OFC. This pattern was distinct from spine loss associated with aging, and we identified no effects on hippocampal CA1 neurons. Given that the OFC is involved in prospective calculations of likely outcomes, even when they are not observable, constraining spinogenesis while preserving mature spines may be important for solidifying durable expectations. To investigate causal relationships, we inhibited the RNA-binding protein fragile X mental retardation protein (encoded by Fmr1), which constrains dendritic spine turnover. Ventrolateral OFC-selective Fmr1 knockdown recapitulated the behavioral effects of inducible OFC inactivation (and lesions; also shown here), impairing action-outcome conditioning, and caused dendritic spine excess. Our findings suggest that a proper balance of dendritic spine plasticity within the OFC is necessary for one's ability to select actions based on anticipated consequences.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Navigating a changing environment requires associating actions with their likely outcomes and updating these associations when they change. Dendritic spine plasticity is likely involved, yet relationships are unconfirmed. Using behavioral, chemogenetic, and viral-mediated gene silencing strategies and high-resolution microscopy, we find that modifying action-outcome expectations is associated with fewer immature spines and a greater proportion of mature spines in the ventrolateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Given that the OFC is involved in prospectively calculating the likely outcomes of one's behavior, even when they are not observable, constraining spinogenesis while preserving mature spines may be important for maintaining durable expectations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alonzo J Whyte
- Departments of Cell Biology
- Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center
| | - Henry W Kietzman
- Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience
| | - Andrew M Swanson
- Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience
| | - Laura M Butkovich
- Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience
| | - Britton R Barbee
- Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
| | - Gary J Bassell
- Departments of Cell Biology
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience
| | - Christina Gross
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, and
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine,
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
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Controllable stress elicits circuit-specific patterns of prefrontal plasticity in males, but not females. Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:1831-1843. [PMID: 31028464 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-01875-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Actual or perceived behavioral control during a traumatic event can promote resilience against future adversity, but the long-term cellular and circuit mechanisms by which this protection is conferred have not been identified. Clinical outcomes following trauma exposure differ in men and women, and, therefore, it is especially important in preclinical research to dissect these processes in both males and females. In male adult rats, an experience with behavioral control over tail shock ("escapable stress", ES) has been shown to block the neurochemical and behavioral outcomes produced by later uncontrollable tail shock ("inescapable stress", IS), a phenomenon termed "behavioral immunization". Here, we determined whether behavioral immunization is present in females. Unlike males, the stress-buffering effects of behavioral control were absent in female rats. We next examined the effects of ES and IS on spine morphology of dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN)-projecting prelimbic (PL) neurons, a circuit critical to the immunizing effects of ES in males. In males, IS elicited broad, non-specific alterations in PL spine size, while ES elicited PL-DRN circuit-specific spine changes. In contrast, females exhibited broad, non-specific spine enlargement after ES but only minor alterations after IS. These data provide evidence for a circuit-specific mechanism of structural plasticity that could underlie sexual divergence in the protective effects of behavioral control.
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Shapiro LP, Kietzman HW, Guo J, Rainnie DG, Gourley SL. Rho-kinase inhibition has antidepressant-like efficacy and expedites dendritic spine pruning in adolescent mice. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 124:520-530. [PMID: 30593834 PMCID: PMC6365018 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence represents a critical period of neurodevelopment, defined by structural and synaptic pruning within the prefrontal cortex. While characteristic of typical development, this structural instability may open a window of vulnerability to developing neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression. Thus, therapeutic interventions that support or expedite neural remodeling in adolescence may be advantageous. Here, we inhibited the neuronally-expressed cytoskeletal regulatory factor Rho-kinase (ROCK), focusing primarily on the clinically-viable ROCK inhibitor fasudil. ROCK inhibition had rapid antidepressant-like effects in adolescent mice, and its efficacy was comparable to ketamine and fluoxetine. It also modified levels of the antidepressant-related signaling factors, tropomyosin/tyrosine receptor kinase B and Akt, as well as the postsynaptic marker PSD-95, in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Meanwhile, adolescent-typical dendritic spine pruning on excitatory pyramidal neurons in the vmPFC was expedited. Further, vmPFC-specific shRNA-mediated reduction of ROCK2, the dominant ROCK isoform in the brain, had antidepressant-like consequences. We cautiously suggest that ROCK inhibitors may have therapeutic potential for adolescent-onset depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren P Shapiro
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Henry W Kietzman
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jidong Guo
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Donald G Rainnie
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
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David J, Gormley S, McIntosh A, Kebede V, Thuery G, Varidaki A, Coffey E, Harkin A. L-alpha-amino adipic acid provokes depression-like behaviour and a stress related increase in dendritic spine density in the pre-limbic cortex and hippocampus in rodents. Behav Brain Res 2019; 362:90-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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